Research ethics

The whole research community at Hope shares the responsibility for promoting and delivering good research. Researchers strive for the highest achievable standards in the planning, conduct and reporting of their research and demonstrate integrity in their dealings with others. Hope, as a signatory to The Concordat to Support Research Integrity, fosters a research culture that supports and embeds good research practice in all its endeavours.

Hope’s research ethics policies, guidelines and procedures clarify the roles and responsibilities of researchers; they make sure that appropriate resources and skills are in place and they aim to prevent research misconduct. Thus, Hope’s culture of research ethics ensures the highest standards of rigour and integrity.

Its core ethical principles stress the need to (a) do good (known as beneficence) and (b) do no harm (known as non-malfeasance). Therefore, Hope requires all researchers, whether staff or students, to ensure that their research is designed and conducted to the highest standards possible. Additionally, they should abide by the research ethics guidelines of their professional bodies, local and national governments. Thus, Hope offers administrative support for best practices in research ethics and enhances the trustworthiness of research outputs.

Hope’s researchers apply and obtain ethical clearances for all types of research. The text-based research does not involve any human groups. Depending on whether a particular research project might include non-vulnerable or vulnerable human groups, the researchers would get sufficient training from their supervisors and or university-wide training sessions. Then, they complete and send the relevant application forms to the relevant supervisors or School Ethics Leads.

If a research project would involve human groups, the researchers ought to obtain informed consent from their potential research participants or those responsible for their well-being (e.g. parents or legal guardians). Secondly, researchers should minimise the risk of harm to participants. Thirdly, they protect the anonymity and confidentiality of their human research participants. Fourthly, they avoid using deceptive or covert practices. Finally, they give participants the right to withdraw from the research.

Professor Daniel Jeyaraj       
Chairperson

Policies

The University Research Ethics Sub-Committee is responsible for oversight of all matters relating to research ethics across the University and for the implementation and updating of the University ethics policy. It’s Chairperson and the chairpersons of the School Research Ethics Sub-Committees are professors and members of Senate.

Its membership includes invited chairpersons of school-wide research ethics sub-committees, an experienced member of staff from another UK Higher Education Institution, a member of Senate, and a nominated representative of the postgraduate students, The University Research Ethics Sub-Committee reports to the Research Committee of Senate, whose chair functions as the Research Sponsor. Besides, it remains accountable to the Council Standing Committee on research ethics, which meets once a year.

The University Research Ethics Sub-Committee meets at least twice a term to receive reports from the School Research Ethics Sub-Committees and to consider any specific cases brought forward by the Schools. It also keeps the ethics policy under review and ensures that systems are in place to provide training and guidance for staff.

Committee membership

School research ethics sub-committees report directly to the University Research Ethics Sub-Committee, which oversees the process. They meet regularly throughout the academic year. The chairpersons and the School Ethics Leads are available to discuss ethical matters with both staff and students.

Contact us

artsresearchethics@hope.ac.uk (Cross School)

educationethics@hope.ac.uk (Education)

scienceethics@hope.ac.uk (Cross School)

socialsciencesethics@hope.ac.uk (Social Science)

Please copy (cc) your email to the relevant School Ethics Lead.

You can complete the relevant application for ethical clearance form online Here or by logging on to MyHope and accessing the My Research section. In that section, you will find an option entitled "Research Ethics".